For example, let’s take the issue of eyelid surgery. My parents constantly berate me to get it, even though I am an adult. (I only have one eyelid crease. I know, I have to be randomly lopsided.) My little brother has no eyelid creases. They have never ever told him that he needs to get eyelid surgery. I don’t want eyelid crease surgery. I concede that they are lopsided, but whatever.

I agree that female models make more, but I think it’s because their beauty and looks are objectified. Their beauty is a gendered/sexualized commodity.

Another example of how physical image is sexualized. Why do people spend so much time talking about Hilary Clinton’s clothes and Sarah Palin’s clothes? Do they realize that most politicians spend a shitload of money on their clothes too? Good suits cost thousands of dollars, be they male suits or female suits. So why do Hilary Clinton and Sarah Palin get called out on their clothes? And dude, you know this pisses me off, because I am sympathizing with Sarah Palin! I feel dirty, but she does suffer from sexism. Otherwise, my opinion of her is um pretty low :p

(My captcha is the visitor. Heh.)

I think…that’s just the way it is. Is it sexist that Tyra’s America’s Next Top Model only has women? Is it sexist that female models get paid more than male models? I wouldn’t say I’m endorsing it; I’m just saying that that is the way things are. I don’t see it changing.

Haha…I covered Dr. Emily’s info for two reasons:

1. Didn’t want any crank calls
2. Didn’t want anyone getting surgery

uRB4N,

Most of the guys I know with steroid problems are either competitive athletes or bodybuilders. I think most of us are unlikely to use steroids unless we’re really into sports or bodybuilding. With women, anorexia takes place all across the board.

MaSir,

Haha…I don’t think most people in the States think of ping pongers as athletes, even though it very much is. You could be a stud by playing cricket in India or chess in Russia, but here it’s mostly the big 3: football, baseball, and basketball.

This girl I know once told me, “I only like guys who are ATHLETIC.” So I made a suggestion eliciting this presumptuous image of athleticism.

“Really? Then you’d LOVE my friend. He was varsity ping pong champion for 3 years during HS!!”

She wasn’t havin’ it. So much for “image”…

Men also have severe physical image problems. Sure, there are more eating disorders for women than men but men tend to have steroid abuse problems.

I was wondering why you covered the MD’s contact info? its not like some private or semi private information, its her own public advertisement!

Physical image. Physical image is more important to women, which is why the Dove campaign for real beauty focuses on women alone. It’s why the fashion industry revolves around women. It’s why there are more women with eating disorders than men. Do you disagree?

However, to claim that image for women is more important than men is a bold, unwarranted statement that I utterly disagree with. We don’t even have an image in the US. We’re invisible men to mainstream America like Ellison’s novel. And if we’re not invisible, we sure as hell aren’t portrayed as a male species.

Look at what HollyWhite’s stereotypical image of Asian-American men has gotten us into? The very same disillusioned view that we are always fighting against.